Hall of Fame
Stanley G. Riggs was a physical education teacher and the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics at Peru Central School in Section VII. However, Stan is best known for a tremendous 20-year wrestling coaching career and very good seven-year baseball coaching career.
Riggs began his wrestling coaching career in 1964 tallying a nearly flawless career record of 245-5-1 at the varsity level. He guided his teams to Champlain Valley Athletic Conference titles in each of his 20 years coaching as well as 18 Section VII championships. At one point Riggs led Peru to 122 straight dual meet wins and saw two of his athletes capture NYSPHSAA State Championships. On the administrative side of wrestling, Riggs was Section VII Wrestling Coordinator from 1968-2003 and he also spent six years as the Secretary/Treasurer of the New York State Wrestling Coaches Association.
As Peru’s varsity baseball coach for seven seasons, Stan compiled a 117-17 career record and brought the school five Conference championships and three more Sectional crowns.
Beyond coaching, Riggs was also active with officiating soccer, football and of course, wrestling starting in 1964. He served on the Executive Board of the NYS Football Officials and NYS College Soccer Officials as well.
Besides serving on the NYSPHSAA State Wrestling Committee for over 35 years, Stan was a past member of the NYSPHSAA Central Committee after serving as past President of Section VII.
In 1994, Riggs was inducted into the NYS Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame and four years later was inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He is a graduate of Ithaca College, where he earned his bachelors in 1961, and SUNY Plattsburgh, where he earned a masters and his administrative certification in 1969 and 1984, respectively.